Bong vs Hookah

Bong vs Hookah

Hookah and bong may sound alien words to someone who is not interested in smoking or at least different ways to inhale tobacco smoke. Hookah and bong are devices or equipment used to smoke tobacco. These are very similar in construction leading to confusion in the minds of westerners who are evincing great interest in these devices that originated in the eastern cultures.

While to non-smoking aficionados, a hookah and a bong may seem like the same thing, they are actually quite different.Essentially, the primary function of a bong and a hookah are quite similar. The intention of both is to create a vacuum of smoke that you inhale through a mouthpiece. While the similarities don’t necessarily end there, there are some serious distinctions between the two. Today we’ll take a look at bong vs hookah, the origins of them both, and how and when to use one over the other.

The History of the Hookah

Hookah is a smoking device that is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent. In different eastern cultures, there is a different name for the device used to inhale smoke burning tobacco that is made to pass through a water bowl. In Maldives, it is referred to as Gudugudaa, in Afghanistan as a Chillim, and in Syria, Iraq, Uzbekistan and many other countries the name used for such a device is Nargile. This word seems to have evolved from a Sanskrit word Narikela that refers to the use of coconut shells for the purpose of smoking. In many countries, in the Middle East, Sheesha is the word used for Hookah.

A Healthier Way to Smoke

While Elgood gets credited with creating the idea of the hookah, there is no physical evidence of a water pipe in this area until 1560. During this period, Middle Eastern civilians became increasingly concerned with health concerns surrounding smoking tobacco. This piqued the interest of Persian physician, Abu’l-Fath Gilani. He felt filtering tobacco smoke through water would purify the smoke. Then known as a ḡalyān, the huqqa (hookah) was born. To this day, hookah is mainly used for smoking tobacco or shisha. Typically shisha is intertwined with a bevy of herbs, fruits, sugar, and molasses to make assorted flavors.

Things to Consider About Cannabis and Hookah Hoses

When cannabis gets heated, it leaves behind a very sticky residue. That makes smoking from a hookah hose harder to hit after a few sessions. Therefore, you want to make sure that you hookah is equipped with a washable hose. When washing the hose, be sure to use a combination of salt and alcohol with tap water. This is important because you need a natural elixir that can work as degreaser on the sticky resin without adding potentially harmful contaminants to a hose that you are going to be smoking out of. Take the mixture and fill the hose with it. Wiggle the hose around so that every inch inside gets saturated with this mixture. Use your finger to cover up one side of the hose while you blow into the other. Let the hose sit for about 20 minutes and then empty the water out. Blow hard out of one side numerous times to get as much of the mixture out. Rinse multiple times in warm water and allow to dry.

A Little Bongstory

While you may not know who came first between the chicken and the egg, it is pretty well-documented that bongs preceded the hookah. In fact, the bong is a bit of a prototype for the hookah, because its essentially a more portable version of the big water pipe. The use of bongs date back to the 1300’s during the days of the Ming Dynasty in China. Bong is a word that is commonly used in western countries for a smoking device that is similar in construction to the eastern hookah. However, it is smaller than a hookah and can be easily carried from one place to another. It can be used to smoke not just tobacco but also cannabis and other products including herbs. The origin of the word bong is traced to a Thai word Buang that refers to a similar device used for smoking.

What is the difference between Hookah and Bong?

• Hookah and bong are similar devices used to inhale smoke of tobacco and other similar products like cannabis and other herbs.
• Hookah has a long pipe and is larger in construction than a bong.
• Hookah is believed to have originated in Indian subcontinent, whereas bong has been used in Far East countries for centuries.
• Bongs are smaller and thus easily portable.

Should You Use a Hookah vs Bong?

While you can smoke tobacco and shisha from a bong, these devices are typically used for marijuana. If you are looking for a more inclusive experience with your friends, the best bet is to go with a hookah. That way, multiple people can take numerous hits. It’s also easier to mix and match each others’ weed for different type of high with a hookah because the bowl is much bigger and the charcoals make the burning last longer. However, if you are looking for solo hits without much maintenance required after use, bongs are the way to go. They are much more portable, and you don’t need to cut your weed with tobacco or shisha.